Lesson 116 The Kirtland Temple Dedication Doctrine and Covenants 109:1-46 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my.

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Presentation on theme: "Lesson 116 The Kirtland Temple Dedication Doctrine and Covenants 109:1-46 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my."— Presentation transcript:

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Lesson 116 The Kirtland Temple Dedication Doctrine and Covenants 109:1-46 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17

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“In the Revelation given on the 1st of June, 1833, the Lord indicated the special object for which this house was to be built: ‘I gave unto you a commandment, that you should build an house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen, with power from on high’ (Sec. 95:8). It was to be a place in which the Church would receive a Pentecostal baptism in the fire of the Holy Spirit [see Acts 2]. A special house, consecrated and dedicated, was needed for that purpose, hence the commandment of God to the Saints concerning this house.” HC Background—3 Years Labor ‘While the brethren labored in their departments,’ ‘the sisters were actively engaged in boarding and clothing workmen not otherwise provided for—all living as abstemiously as possible, so that every cent might be appropriated to the grand object.’ And thus they toiled on from the 23rd of July, 1833, when the corner stones were laid, until it was completed for dedication. Tullidge—Smith and Sjodahl July 23, March 27, 1836

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First Hymn Sung Our hearts and tongue shall join in one, To praise the Father and the Son, While all the heavens shall shout again, And all creatures say, Amen. The last verse Author: Parley P. Pratt Directed by: M.G. Davis HC

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Sermon and Rest Hymn HC Sidney Rigdon then reads from Matthew chapters with emphasis on chapter 20— He spoke 2 ½ hours “At one point, he drew tears from many eyes.” “He admitted there are many houses…built for the worship of God, but not one except this, on the face of the whole earth, that was built by divine revelation…” Joseph Smith Sidney Rigdon—speaks to congregation by reading Psalms 96 and 24 Author: W.W. Phelps Directed by: M.G. Davis The last part With gifts His hands are stored; We draw our blessings thence. He will bestow On Jacob’s race Peculiar grace, And glory too

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The Raising of Their Hands HC The Prophet Joseph Smith was sustained by the Quorum as Prophet and Seer “He then called upon all the congregation of Saints, also, to give their assent by rising on their feet, which they did unanimously.” The Hymn Now Let Us Rejoice was sung then there was a twenty minute intermission during which the congregation kept their seats. The services of the day were resume by singing Adam-ondi- Ahman. The Prophet Joseph Smith then made a short address and sustained the Presidency as prophets and Seers The Prophet Joseph Smith then had the Quorum of the Twelve sustained as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth. HYM NS

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Dedicatory Prayer D&C 109 Church News “When we dedicate a house to the Lord, what we really do is dedicate ourselves to the lord’s service, with a covenant that we shall use the house in the way He intends that it shall be used.” “This pattern was set by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. The prayer given on that occasion was revealed to him (Joseph Smith) by the Lord; all prayers used since then have been written by the spirit of inspiration and have been read by such of the Brethren as have been appointed to do so.”

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Why Temples? D&C 109:1-4 Otten and Caldwell “Whenever the Lord has given His people access to the fullness of the gospel, He has also commanded His people to build a house unto Him.” Manhattan, New York Temple Sao Paulo Brazil Temple 1 Kings 7 Solomon’s Temple Moses builds a traveling temple Exodus 25:8

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Sacrifices for a Temple D&C 109:5 Church members sacrificed time, money, and possessions to help build a house for the Lord. The men volunteered their labor on the construction. The women made clothing and provided lodging. When many of the men were away with Zion’s Camp, some women continued the work on the temple. Some Latter-day Saints, like John Tanner and Vienna Jacques, gave much of their wealth for the building of the temple. In all, the temple cost approximately 60,000 United States dollars—an incredible sum for that time, especially considering the poverty of the Saints. By comparison, that amount would be worth well over 1,000,000 United States dollars today.

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Artemus Millet From Canada D&C 109:5 BYU Studies and Eugene England Brother Millet gave up his job as a stone mason for the Canadian government so he and his family could move to Kirtland, where he served as the superintendent of the construction of the temple. Artemus Millet's greatest legacies of faith are his conversion and his lifelong commitment to establishing Zion. Millet sold the family farm, took his family to Kirtland, and labored on the temple from the laying of the cornerstone to the project's completion, having full charge of the work. He served so well, inventing an extraordinarily hard exterior plaster that shone with the china dishes broken up in it, and feeding many of the workers on the temple from his own resources that he was later called by Joseph Smith to do the masonry for the Nauvoo Temple, where that same marvelous exterior plaster was used.

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Blessings Promised In The House of the Lord D&C 109 The faithful who enter the temple will feel and acknowledge the power of the Lord. They can testify that they have been in the Savior’s home on earth (vs ) The true worshippers in the house of the Lord will be taught and learn wisdom. They will better understand and apply the teaching of the scriptures and the admonitions of the Lord’s anointed. (vs. 14) The saints may grow up in the Lord, receive a fullness of the Holy Ghost, be correctly organized, and be prepared to obtain all needful things. (vs. 15) The temple will be a place for fasting and prayer, faith, glory, learning, and order as a house of God. (vss. 8, 16) Fort Collins Temple Mexico City Temple Salt Lake City Temple San Diego Temple

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Reverence In The Lord’s House D&C 109:21 “The most decorous conduct—unmarred by loud laughter, unnecessary conversation, untoward actions of any sort, or even by evil thoughts—is essential to reverencing the Lord’s sanctuary. And what is said of his temples is also true of his meetinghouses.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie “Self-respect requires, among other things, that one shall behave like a true gentleman, in a house of worship. No self-respecting person will go to a house devoted to the service of God to whisper, gossip and visit; rather, it is one’s duty to put on self-restraint, to give one’s undivided attention to the speaker, and concentrate the mind upon his words that his thoughts may be grasped to one’s benefit and profit.” President Joseph F. Smith

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Protection D&C 109:24-46 During the construction of the Kirtland Temple, mobs threatened to destroy the temple. President Brigham Young told of “laborers on the walls, holding the sword in one hand to protect themselves from the mob, while they placed the stone and moved the trowel with the other” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 415). At times, the men who worked on the temple during the day had to guard it at night. If the Lord’s people are worthy and worship Him in the temple, then wickedness will not prevail over them.

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A Power For Righteousness D&C 109:22-49 Otten and Caldwell “Those who receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple have a power for righteousness that comes from the Lord.” “They can better withstand evil and can better propagate truth as an influence for good to all of Father's children.” “In the house of the Lord, faithful Church members can be endowed ‘with power from on high’, power that will enable us to resist temptation, honor covenants, obey the Lord’s commandments, and bear fervent, fearless testimony of the gospel to family, friends, and neighbors.” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Receiving temple blessings arms us with power and with the Lord’s help as we serve Him

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“Truly, the Lord desires that His people be a temple-motivated people. It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church be temple worthy. … Let us be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow.” President Howard W. Hunter

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Day of Dedication: “Now the day of dedication had come. The people assembled early, full of joy and gratitude, and they were not disappointed in their expectations. The manifestations of the divine presence were such as to leave no room in the minds of the true Saints for doubt concerning the nature of the work in which they were engaged. Heber C. Kimball relates that during the ceremonies of the dedication, an angel appeared and sat near Joseph Smith, Sr., and Frederick G. Williams, so that they had a fair view of his person. He was tall, and had black eyes and white hair; wore a garment extending to near his ankles, and had sandals on his feet. ‘He was sent,’ President Kimball says, ‘as a messenger to accept of the dedication.’ (Whitney’s Life of Heber C. Kimball, p. 103). A few days afterwards, a solemn assembly was held … and blessings were given. ‘While these things were being attended to,’ Heber C. Kimball says, ‘the beloved disciple John was seen in our midst by the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery, and others’ (Ibid., p. 104). On the 6th of April, a meeting was held which was prolonged into the night. On this occasion the spirit of prophecy was poured out upon the Saints, and many in the congregation saw tongues of fire upon some of those present, while to others angels appeared. ‘This,’ President Kimball says, ‘continued several days and was attended by a marvelous spirit of prophecy. Every man’s mouth was full of prophesying, and for a number of days and weeks our time was spent in visiting from house to house, administering bread and wine, and pronouncing blessings upon each other to that degree, that from the external appearances one would have supposed that the last days had truly come, in which the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon all flesh’ (Ibid., p. 105; see also Hist. of the Church, Vol. II., p. 427). Nor were the Saints the only ones who were aware of supernatural manifestations at this time. Elder George A. Smith rose to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing wind. All the congregation arose, and many began to speak in tongues and prophesy. And then people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place. This continued until the meeting closed, at 11 p.m. (History of the Church, Vol. II., p. 428).” (Commentary, pp. 720–21.)

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Rome Temple Transcript of Vienna Jaques: Consecrated Faith Her Sacrifice Vienna Jacques, a single woman in her 40's converted to the restored Gospel, left her home, and upon request of the prophet, consecrated her entire life savings of $1,400 (about $20,000 in today’s standards) to the Church. While this may sound like a repetition of other familiar stories (like that of John Tanner), her situation was unique and shows her incredible love for the Lord. Why was her sacrifice so unique? In this time period, most women were denied access to higher education and well-paying jobs. Vienna Jacques’ small economic success as a single woman was rare and very fortunate. Even though she had done relatively well to this point, she had absolutely no guarantee that she could get another job. But, she trusted the prophet and the Lord and donated her life savings. A commandment from the Lord 28 And again, verily I say unto you, it is my will that my handmaid Vienna Jaques should receive money to bear her expenses, and go up unto the land of Zion; 29 And the residue of the money may be consecrated unto me, and she be rewarded in mine own due time. 30 Verily I say unto you, that it is meet in mine eyes that she should go up unto the land of Zion, and receive an inheritance from the hand of the bishop; 31 That she may settle down in peace inasmuch as she is faithful, and not be idle in her days from thenceforth. And the Lord DID take care of her -Married Daniel Shearer who passed away before too long from unknown reasons. -Migrated with the Saints to Salt Lake when she was 60 years old and arrived on October 2, She was given some property and lived in Salt Lake City until she died at 96. Obituary read: “She was true to her covenants and esteemed the Gospel as a priceless treasure.”(Woman’s Exponent) by Larissa Kranewitte Armed With Power: “The Lord is here with us,” said President Brigham Young, “not in person, but his angels are round us, and he takes cognizance of every act of the children of men, as individuals and as nations. He is here ready by his agents, the angels, and by the power of his Holy Spirit and Priesthood, which he has restored in these last days, to bring most perfect and absolute deliverance unto all who put their trust in Him, when they are ready to receive it; and, until they are ready, the work of preparation must be vigorously progressed in, while at the same time we in patience must possess our souls.” (In Journal of Discourses, 11:14.)

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More on Vienna Jaques The Saints Kirtland Sept 4th 1833—— Dear Siste[r] —Having a few Leisur moments I sit down to communicate to you a few wordes which I know I am under obligation to improve for to your Satisfaction if it should be a satisfaction for you to receive a few words from your unworthy brother in Christ, I received your Letter some time since containing a history of your Journey and your safe arival for which I bless the Lord I have often felt a whispering since I received your letter like this Joseph thou art indebted to thy God for the offering of thy Sister Viana [Vienna Jaques] which proved a Savior of life as pertaining to thy pecunary concern therefor she should not be forgotten of thee for the Lord hath done this and thou shouldst remember her in all thy prayers and also by letter for she oftentimes calleth on the Lord saying O Lord inspire thy Servant Joseph to communicate by letter some word to thine unworthy handmaid canst thou not speak peaciably unto thine handmaid and say all my sins are forgiven and art thou not content with the chastisement wherewith thou hast chastised thy handmaid yea siste[r] this seams to be the whisperings of a spirit and Judge ye what spirit it is I was sensable, when you left Kirtland that the Lord would chasten you but I pray fervantly in the name of Jesus that you might live to receive your inheritance agreeable to the commandm[e]nt which was given concerning you I am not at all astonished at what has happened to you neithe[r] to what has happened to Zion and I could tell all the why’s & wherefores of all there calamities but alas it is in vain to warn and give precepts for all men are naturally disposed to walk in their own paths as they are pointed out by their own fingers and are not willing to considder and walk in the path which is pointed out by another saying this is the way walk ye in it altho he should be an uner[r]ing director and the Lord his God sent him neverthe less I do not feel disposed to cast any reflections but I feel to cry mightily unto the Lord that all things might work together for good which has happened yea I feel to say O Lord let Zion be comforted let her waste places be built up and established an hundred fold [p. [1]] let thy saints come unto Zion out of every nation let her be exalted to the third heavens and let thy Judgments be sent forth unto victory and after this great tribulation let thy blessings fall upon thy people and let thy handmaid live till her soul shall be sat isfied in beholding the glory of Zion notwithstanding her present affliction she shall yet arise and put on her beautiful garments and be the Joy and praise of the whole earth therefore let your heart be comferted live in strict obedience to the commandments of God and walk humble before him and he will exalt thee in his own due time the brethren in this place are gaining ground in spiritual things and are trying to overcome all things that is not well pleasing to their heavenly father we have common there has many brethren mooved to this place from different parts of the country so much so that one house is not sufficient to contain them for public worship and we have divided and hold meetings in two sepperete places namely at the school house on the flats and Uncle John Smiths who lives on brother [Joseph Coes] place we have commenced building the house of the Lord in this place and are making great progress in it so much so that I feel great hopes that by spring it will be finished so that we can have a place to worship where we shall not be molested a few days since Brothe[r] Ball and Siste[r] Elizabeth Chase arived here boston broth[er] ball has gone about three miles from this place to work at his trade and Siste[r] Elizab eth lives with me at present Agnes [Coolbrith] & Mary [Bailey] Lives with father Smith—— I will assure you that the Lord has respect unto the offering you made he is a God that changes not and and his word cannot fail remember what he has said in the book of mormon respecting those who should assist in bringing this work forth we frequently have inteligenc from our elder abroad that are proclaming the word that God is working with them for they have attained to great faith insomuch that signs do follow them that believe [p. [2]] Brothe[r] David Pettin [David W. Patten] has Just returned from his tour from the east and gives us great satisfaction as to his ministry he has raised up a church of about Eighty members in that part of the country where his friends live in the state of New York many were healed by through his instrumantality several criples were restored as many as twelve that were afflicted came at at a time from a distanc[e] to be healed he administered in the name of Jesus and they were made whole thus you see that the Laborers in the Lords vineyard are Labouring with their mights while the day lasts knowing the night soon cometh wherein no man can work I wish you to say to brothe[r] [Edward] Partridge that we received his lette[r] of the 13 August directed to Bro Frederick [G. Williams] requesting an explination on the Plan of the house which is to be built in Zion and also of the City Platt that brothern whom we have recently sent to Zion will give them all the information they need about it I have but little time to write at present for I am Labouring on the house of the Lord with my own hands therefor I must bid you farewell and subscribe myself your unworthy brother in christ amen [Joseph Smith Jr.] Joseph Smith Papers